Unit dose laundry products containing fatty acid esters

ABSTRACT

A unit dose fabric treatment system comprises a water soluble container in which a liquid fabric treatment composition is disposed, the composition comprising one or more fatty acid esters wherein, in at least one of the fatty acid esters, the average proportion of C18 chains is less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 40%, e.g. less than 30% by weight of the total weight of fatty acid chains in the fatty acid ester.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to unit dose fabric treatment system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Detergent compositions manufactured in the form of compacted detergentpowder are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,100, for example, describes atablet of compacted powder comprising an anionic detergent compound,which will adequately disperse in the wash water.

Laundry detergent compositions which further include a fabric softenerto provide softening or conditioning of fabrics in the wash cycle of thelaundering operation are well-known and described in the patentliterature. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,506 (Wixon); U.S. Pat.No. 4,818,421 (Boris) et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,773 (Ramachandranet al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,138. U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,870 (Anderson)describes a multi-layered laundry tablet for washing which may include adetergent in the outer layer and a fabric softener, or water softener orfragrance in the inner layer.

These types of multi-benefit products suffer from a common drawback,namely, there is an inherent compromise which the user necessarily makesbetween the cleaning and softening benefits provided by such products ascompared to using a separate detergent composition solely for cleaningin the wash cycle and a separate softening composition solely forsoftening in the rinse cycle. That is, the user of such detergentsoftener compositions does not have the ability to independently adjustthe amount of detergent and softener added to the wash cycle of amachine in response to the cleaning and softening requirements of theparticular wash load.

Some attempts have been made in the art to develop wash cycle activefabric softeners, typically in powder form. However, these type productsare characterised by the same inconvenience inherent with the use ofpowered detergents, namely, problems of handling, caking in thecontainer or wash cycle dispenser, and the need for a dosing device todeliver the desired amount of active softener material to the washwater.

WO04/011589 discloses a softening system which comprises:

-   -   (a) a water soluble container which is formed from a water        soluble polymer which is selected from the group consisting of        polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially        hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, alkyl        celluloses, ethers and esters of alkyl cellulosics, hydroxy        alkyl, carboxy methyl cellulose sodium, dextrin, maltodextrin,        water soluble polyacrylates, water soluble polyacrylates, water        soluble polyacrylamides and acrylic acid/maleic anhydride        copolymers;    -   (b) a liquid fabric softener composition disposed in said water        soluble container, wherein said fabric softener composition        comprises approximately by weight 72% to 100% of at least one        organic softening agent which is selected from the group        consisting of fatty acid soaps, esters of glycerol, ethoxylated        fatty esters of glycerol, ethoxylated fatty esters, fatty        alcohols, polyol polymers, higher fatty acid esters of a        pentaerythritol compound silicone oil compounds, olein esterquat        compounds, olein amido-amine compounds, quaternized alkyl        imidazoline compounds, synthetic esters and natural esters and        mixtures thereof.

The use of a unit dose fabric softening composition contained in a watersoluble container such as a sachet offers numerous advantages. To beeffective, the unit dose fabric softening compositions, contained in asachet, must be able to disperse in the wash liquor in a short period oftime to avoid any residue at the end of the wash cycle.

Typically, the wash cycle time can be as short as 12 minutes and as longas 90 minutes (in typical European washers) depending on the type ofwasher and the wash conditions. Therefore, the water-soluble sachet mustbe soluble in the wash liquor before the end of the cycle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to seek to overcome one or more of theaforementioned disadvantages and/or to provide one or more of theaforementioned benefits.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a fabrictreatment system in the form of a unit dose comprising:

-   -   (a) a water soluble container which is formed from a water        soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl        alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially hydrolyzed        polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, alkyl celluloses,        ethers and esters of alkyl cellulosics, hydroxy alkyl, carboxy        methyl cellulose sodium, dextrin, maltodextrin, water soluble        polyacrylates, water soluble polyacrylamides and acrylic        acid/maleic anhydride copolymers; and    -   (b) a liquid fabric softener composition disposed in said water        soluble container, wherein said fabric treatment composition        comprises:        -   (i) one or more fatty acid esters;        -   (ii) optionally a fatty acid soap,        -   (iii) optionally fatty acid        -   (iv) optionally perfume, and        -   (v) optionally a cellulose ether cationic deposition            polymer,            wherein, in at least one of the fatty acid esters, the            average proportion of C18 chains is less than 60%,            preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 40%,            e.g. less than 30% by weight of the total weight of fatty            acid chains in the fatty acid ester.

The composition is present in an amount within the water-solublecontainer which is sufficient to form a unit dose capable of providingeffective softening, conditioning or other laundry treatment of fabricsin said washing machine.

The term “fabric softener” is used herein for purposes of convenience torefer to materials which provide softening and/or conditioning benefitsto fabrics in a home or automatic laundering machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water soluble sachet containing aunit dose of a fabric softener composition.

Preferably the water soluble sachet is formed from a single layer ofwater soluble thermoplastic film.

The film is advantageously formed from a water soluble polymer which ispreferably selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols,polyvinyl alcohol copolymers such as polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alkylhydroxy cellulosic such as hydroxy ethylcellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxy-methylcellulose sodium, dextrin,maltodextrin, alkyl cellulosics such as methyl cellulose, ethylcellulose and propyl cellulose, ethers and esters of alkyl cellulosicssuch as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and propyl cellulose, watersoluble polyacrylates, water soluble polyacrylamides and acrylicacid/maleic anhydride copolymers.

Especially preferred water soluble plastics which may be considered forforming the container include low molecular weight and/or chemicallymodified polylactides; such polymers have been produced by Chronopol,Inc. and sold under the Heplon trademark. Also included in the watersoluble polymer family are melt processable poly(vinyl) alcohol resins(PVA); such resins are produced by Texas Polymer Services, Inc.,tradenamed Vinex, and are produced under license from Air Products andChemicals, Inc. and Monosol film produced by Monosol LLC. Other suitableresins include poly(ethylene oxide) and cellulose derived water solublecarbohydrates. The former are produced by Union Carbide, Inc. and soldunder the tradename Polyox; the latter are produced by Dow Chemical,Inc. and sold under the Methocel trademark. Typically, the cellulosederived water soluble polymers are not readily melt processable. Thepreferred water soluble thermoplastic resin for this application is PVAproduced by Monosol LLC. Any number or combination of PVA resins can beused. The preferred grade, considering resin processability, containerdurability, water solubility characteristics, and commercial viabilityis Monosol film having a weight average molecular weight range of about55,000 to 65,000 and a number average molecular weight range of about27,000 to 33,000.

The inner surface of the film is in contact with the laundry treatmentcomposition and the external surface of the film does not have a watersoluble glue disposed thereon.

The water soluble container can be in the form of a pouch, sachet, ablow moulded capsule or other blow moulded shapes, an injected mouldedampoule or other injection moulded shapes, or rotationally mouldedspheres or capsules.

Examples of suitable methods for forming water soluble containers are asfollows:

The pelletized, pre-dried, melt processable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)resin, is fed to a film extruder. The feed material may also containpre-dried colour concentrate which uses a PVA carrier resin. Otheradditives, similarly prepared, such as antioxidants, UV stabilizers,anti-blocking additives, etc. may also be added to the extruder. Theresin and concentrate are melt blended in the extruder. The extruder diemay consist of a circular die for producing blown film or a coat hangerdie for producing cast film. Circular dies may have rotating die lipsand/or mandrels to modify visual appearance and/or properties.

Alternatively, the PVA resins can also be dissolved and formed into filmthrough a solution-casting process, wherein the PVA resin or resins aredissolved and mixed in an aqueous solution along with additives. Thissolution is cast through a coat hanger die, or in front of a doctorblade or through a casting box to produce a layer of solution ofconsistent thickness. This layer of solution is cast or coated onto adrum or casting band or appropriate substrate to convey it through anoven or series of ovens to reduce the moisture content to an appropriatelevel. The extruded or cast film is slit to the appropriate width andwound on cores. Each core holds one reel of film.

There are many types of form fill seal machines that can convert watersoluble films into containers, including vertical, horizontal and rotarymachines. To make the appropriate sachet shape, one or multiple filmscan be used. The film can be folded into the sachet shape, mechanicallydeformed into the sachet shape, or thermally deformed into the sachetshape. The sachet forming can also utilize thermal bonding of multiplelayers of film, or solvent bonding of multiple layers of film. Whenusing poly(vinyl) alcohol the most common solvent is water.

Once the appropriately shaped sachet is filled with product, the sachetcan be sealed using either thermal bonding of the film, or solventbonding of the film.

Blow moulded capsules can be formed from the poly(vinyl) alcohol resinhaving a molecular weight of about 50,000 to about 70,000 and a glasstransition temperature of about 28 to 33° C. Pelletized resin andconcentrate(s) are fed into an extruder having a circular, oval, squareor rectangular die and an appropriate mandrel. The molten polymer massexits the die and assumes the shape of the die/mandrel combination. Airis blown into the interior volume of the extrudate (parison) while theextrudate contacts a pair of split moulds. The moulds control the finalshape of the package. While in the mould, the package is filled with theappropriate volume of liquid. The mould quenches the plastic. The liquidis contained within the interior volume of the blow moulded package.

An injection moulded ampoule or capsule can be formed from thepoly(vinyl) alcohol resin having a molecular weight of about 50,000 toabout 70,000 and a glass transition temperature of about 28 to 38° C.Pelletized resin and concentrate(s) are fed to the throat of anreciprocating screw, injection moulding machine. The rotation of thescrew pushes the pelletized mass forward while the increasing diameterof the screw compresses the pellets and forces them to contact themachine's heated barrel. The combination of heat, conducted to thepellets by the barrel and frictional heat, generated by the contact ofthe pellets with the rotating screw, melts the pellets as they arepushed forward. The molten polymer mass collects in front of the screwas the screw rotates and begins to retract to the rear of the machine.At the appropriate time, the screw moves forward forcing the meltthrough the nozzle at the tip of the machine and into a mould or hotrunner system which feeds several moulds. The moulds control the shapeof the finished package. The package may be filled with liquid eitherwhile in the mould or after ejection from the mould. The filling port ofthe package is heat sealed after filling is completed. This process maybe conducted either in-line or off-line.

A rotationally moulded sphere or capsule can be formed from thepoly(vinyl) alcohol resin having a molecular weight of about 50,000 toabout 70,000 and a glass transition temperature of about 28 to 38° C.Pelletized resin and concentrate are pulverized to an appropriate meshsize, typically 35 mesh. A specific weight of the pulverized resin isfed to a cold mould having the desired shape and volume. The mould issealed and heated while simultaneously rotating in three directions. Thepowder melts and coats the entire inside surface of the mould. Whilecontinuously rotating, the mould is cooled so that the resin solidifiesinto a shape which replicates the size and texture of the mould.

After formation of the finished package, the liquid is injected into thehollow package using a heated needle or probe after filling, theinjection port of the package is heat sealed. Typical unit dosecompositions for use herein may vary from about 5 to about 40 mlcorresponding on a weight basis to about 5 to about 40 grams (whichincludes the weight of the capsule).

Fabric Treatment Composition

Fatty Acid Ester

The composition comprises one or more fatty acid esters.

Suitable fatty acid esters are fatty esters of mono or polyhydricalcohols having from 8 to about 24 carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain.Such fatty esters are preferably substantially odorless.

In at least one of the fatty acid esters, the average proportion of C18chains is less than 60%, preferably less than 50%, more preferably lessthan 40%, e.g. less than 30% by weight of the total weight of fatty acidchains in the fatty acid ester.

In the context of the present invention, “C18 chains” denotes thecombined amount of C18, C18:1 and C18:2 chains.

The average proportion of C18 chains in sunflower oil, for instance, istypically above 70 wt %.

Thus, at least one of the fatty acid esters is not sunflower oil.

It is preferred if the fatty acid ester is a fatty acid glyceride ormixtures of fatty acid glycerides. Especially preferred materials aretriglycerides, most preferred are palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconutoil.

Sunflower oil may also be present but only in combination with one ormore of the fatty acid esters defined above.

Blending different fatty triglycerides together can be advantageoussince certain blends, such as coconut oil and sunflower oil, provide thecomposition with reduced viscosity when compared with compositionscomprising only one oil. This has been found to provide the compositionwith better flow characteristics for the filling of capsules, which isparticularly important when operating on an industrial scale.

Fatty Acid

A fatty acid is preferably present in the composition.

Any reference to “fatty acid” herein means “free fatty acid” unlessotherwise stated and it is to be understood that any fatty acid which isreacted with another ingredient is not defined as a fatty acid in thefinal composition, except insofar as free fatty acid remains after thereaction.

Preferred fatty acids are those where the weighted average number ofcarbons in the alkyl/alkenyl chains is from 8 to 24, more preferablyfrom 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18.

The fatty acid can be saturated or unsaturated.

The fatty acid may be an alkyl or alkenyl mono- or polycarboxylic acid,though monocarboxylic acids are particularly preferred.

The fatty acid can be linear or branched. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable branching groups include alkyl or alkenyl groups having from 1to 8 carbon atoms, hydroxyl groups, amines, amides, and nitrites.

Suitable fatty acids include both linear and branched stearic, oleic,lauric, linoleic, and tallow—especially hardened tallow—acids, andmixtures thereof.

The amount of fatty acid is preferably from 0.5 to 40 wt %, morepreferably from 2.5 to 30 wt %, most preferably from 5 to 25 wt %, basedon the total weight of the composition.

Fatty Acid Soap

A fatty acid soap is preferably present in the composition.

Useful soap compounds include the alkali metal soaps such as the sodium,potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium (for examplemonoethanolamine) salts or any combinations of this, of higher fattyacids containing from about 8 to 24 carbon atoms.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fatty acid soap has acarbon chain length of from C₁₀ to C₂₂, more preferably C₁₂ to C₂₀.

Suitable fatty acids can be obtained from natural sources such as plantor animal esters e.g. palm oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, soybean oil,caster oil, rape seed oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, tallow, fishoils, grease lard and mixtures thereof. Also fatty acids can be producedby synthetic means such as the oxidation of petroleum, or hydrogenationof carbon monoxide by the Fischer Tropsch process. Resin acids aresuitable such as rosin and those resin acids in tall oil. Naphthenicacids are also suitable. Sodium and potassium soaps can be made bydirect saponification of the fats and oils or by the neutralisation ofthe free fatty acids which are prepared in a separate manufacturingprocess.

Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts and the mixturesof fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e. sodium tallowsoap, sodium coconut soap, potassium tallow soap, potassium coconutsoap.

For example Prifac 5908 a fatty acid from Uniqema which was neutralisedwith caustic soda. This soap is an example of a fully hardened orsaturated lauric soap, which in general is based on coconut or palmkernel oil.

Also mixtures of coconut or palm kernel oil and for example palm oil,olive oil, or tallow can be used. In this case more palmitate with 16carbon atoms, stearate with 18 carbon atoms, palmitoleate with 16 carbonatoms and with one double bond, oleate with 18 carbon atoms and with onedouble bond and/or linoleate with 18 carbon atoms and with two doublebonds are present.

Thus, the soap may be saturated or unsaturated.

It is particularly preferred that the alkali metal hydroxide ispotassium or sodium hydroxide, especially potassium hydroxide.

The fatty acid soap is preferably present at a level of from 1 to 50 wt%, more preferably from 2 to 40 wt %, most preferably from 3 to 30 wt %,e.g. from 4 to 15 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition.

Nonionic Surfactant

Nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions include any ofthe alkoxylated materials of the particular type described hereinaftercan be used as the nonionic surfactant.

Substantially water soluble surfactants of the general formula:R—Y—(C₂H₄O)_(z)—C₂H₄OHwhere R is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary andbranched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondaryand branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondaryand branched chain alkenyl-substituted phenolic hydrocarbyl groups; thehydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25,preferably 10 to 20, e.g. 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

In the general formula for the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Y istypically:

—O—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R)— or —C(O)N(R)R—

in which R has the meaning given above or can be hydrogen; and Z is atleast about 3, preferably about 5, more preferably at least about 7 or11.

Preferably the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about20, more preferably from 10 to 18, e.g. 12 to 16.

Examples of nonionic surfactants follow. In the examples, the integerdefines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the molecule.

A. Straight-Chain, Primary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and pentadecaethoxylates ofn-hexadecanol, and n-octadecanol having an HLB within the range recitedherein are useful viscosity/dispersibility modifiers in the context ofthis invention. Exemplary ethoxylated primary alcohols useful herein asthe viscosity/dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are C₁₈EO(10); and C₁₈ EO(11). The ethoxylates of mixed natural or syntheticalcohols in the “tallow” chain length range are also useful herein.Specific examples of such materials include tallow alcohol-EO(11),tallow alcohol-EO(18), and tallow alcohol-EO(25).

B. Straight-Chain, Secondary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, pentadeca-, octadeca-, andnonadeca-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and5-eicosanol having an HLB within the range recited herein are usefulviscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers in the context of thisinvention. Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols useful herein as theviscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the compositions are: C₁₆EO(11); C₂₀ EO(11); and C₁₆EO(14).

C. Alkyl Phenol Alkoxylates

As in the case of the alcohol alkoxylates, the hexa- tooctadeca-ethoxylates of alkylated phenols, particularly monohydricalkylphenols, having an HLB within the range recited herein are usefulas the viscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the instantcompositions. The hexa- to octadeca-ethoxylates of p-tri-decylphenol,m-pentadecylphenol, and the like, are useful herein. Exemplaryethoxylated alkylphenols useful as the viscosity and/or dispersibilitymodifiers of the mixtures herein are: p-tridecylphenol EO(11) andp-pentadecylphenol EO(18).

As used herein and as generally recognized in the art, a phenylene groupin the nonionic formula is the equivalent of an alkylene groupcontaining from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. For present purposes, nonionicscontaining a phenylene group are considered to contain an equivalentnumber of carbon atoms calculated as the sum of the carbon atoms in thealkyl group plus about 3.3 carbon atoms for each phenylene group.

D. Olefinic Alkoxylates

The alkenyl alcohols, both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenolscorresponding to those disclosed immediately hereinabove can beethoxylated to an HLB within the range recited herein and used as theviscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of the instant compositions.

E. Branched Chain Alkoxylates

Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available fromthe well-known “OXO” process can be ethoxylated and employed as theviscosity and/or dispersibility modifiers of compositions herein.

The above ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are useful in the presentcompositions alone or in combination, and the term “nonionic surfactant”encompasses mixed nonionic surface active agents.

The nonionic surfactant is preferably present in an amount from 1 to30%, more preferably 2 to 12%, most preferably 3 to 9%, e.g. 4 to 8% byweight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Perfume

It is desirable that the compositions of the present invention alsocomprise one or more perfumes. Suitable perfume ingredients includethose disclosed in “Perfume and Flavour Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals)”, bySteffen Arctander, published by the author in 1969, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

The perfume is preferably present in the composition at a level of from0.5 to 15 wt %, more preferably from 1 to 10 wt %, most preferably from2 to 5 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition.

As used herein and in the appended claims the term “perfume” is used inits ordinary sense to refer to and include any non-water solublefragrant substance or mixture of substances including natural (i.e.obtained by extraction of flower, herb, blossom or plant), artificial(i.e. mixture of natural oils or oil constituents) and syntheticallyproduced odoriferous substances. Typically, perfumes are complexmixtures of blends of various organic compounds such as alcohols,aldehydes, ethers, aromatic compounds and varying amounts of essentialoils (e.g., terpenes) such as from 0% to 80%, usually from 1% to 70% byweight, the essential oils themselves being volatile odoriferouscompounds and also serving to dissolve the other components of theperfume.

Cationic Polymer

It is desirable that the composition further comprises a cationicpolymer. The cationic polymer significantly boosts softening performanceon fabrics delivered by the composition.

A particularly preferred class of cationic polymer is cationic celluloseethers. Such ethers are commercially available under the tradename UcareLR-400([2-hydroxy-3(trimethylammonio)propyl]-w-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)chloride).

The polymer is preferably present at a level of from 0.1 to 5 wt %, morepreferably from 0.2 to 2 wt %, most preferably from 0.25 to 1 wt %,based on the total weight of the composition.

Non-Surfactant Liquids

Non-surfactant liquids, such as non-surfactant solvents can be presentin the composition. Preferred liquids include ethers, polyethers,alkylamines and fatty amines, (especially di- and trialkyl- and/orfatty-N-substituted amines), alkyl (or fatty) amides and mono- anddi-N-alkyl substituted derivatives thereof, alkyl (or fatty) carboxylicacid lower alkyl esters, ketones, aldehydes, polyols, and glycerides.

Specific examples include respectively, di-alkyl ethers, polyethyleneglycols, alkyl ketones (such as acetone) and glyceryltrialkylcarboxylates (such as glyceryl tri-acetate), glycerol, propyleneglycol, and sorbitol.

Glycerol is particularly preferred since it provides the additionalbenefit of plasticising the water soluble film.

Other suitable solvents are lower (C14) alcohols, such as ethanol, orhigher (C5-9) alcohols, such as hexanol, as well as alkanes and olefins.It is often desirable to include them for lowering the viscosity of theproduct and/or assisting soil removal during cleaning.

Preferably, the compositions of the invention contain the organicsolvent in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight of the totalcomposition. The amount of the solvent present in the composition may beas high as about 60%, but in most cases the practical amount will liebetween 1 and 30% and sometimes, between 2 and 20% by weight of thecomposition.

Water

The compositions preferably comprise a low level of water. Thus, wateris preferably present at a level of from 0.1 to 10 wt %, more preferablyfrom 2 to 10 wt %, most preferably from 3 to 7 wt %, based on the totalweight of the composition.

Cationic Surfactants

The compositions of the invention are preferably substantially free,more preferably entirely free of cationic surfactants, since thecompositions are primarily for use in the wash cycle of an automaticwashing machine. Thus, it is preferred that the maximum amount ofcationic surfactant present in the composition is 5 wt % or less, morepreferably 4 wt % or less, even more preferably 3 wt % or less, mostpreferably 2 wt % or less, e.g. 1 wt % or less, based on the totalweight of the composition.

It is well known that anionic surfactants are typically present in thewash detergent and so would complex undesirably with any cationicsurfactant in the composition thereby reducing the effectiveness of thewash detergent.

Other Optional Ingredients

The compositions may also contain one or more optional ingredientsconventionally included in fabric treatment compositions such as pHbuffering agents, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants,hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents,polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical brightening agents, pearlescers,anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-spotting agents,germicides, fungicides, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents,anti-static agents, ironing aids crystal growth inhibitors,anti-oxidants, anti-reducing agents and dyes.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate liquid laundry treatment compositionsused in the invention.

Examples of the invention are denoted by a number and comparativeexamples are denoted by a letter.

Unless otherwise specified, the amounts and proportions in thecompositions and films are by weight.

TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 A B C D E F Sunflower oil^(a) 14.0 14.0 14.057.2 57.0 58.5 58.5 Glycerol^(b) 57.2 57.2 Coconut oil^(c) 57.2 45.045.0 44.6 LR-400^(d) 0.25 Potassium oleate^(e) 16.3 18.2 18.2 16.3 16.316.3 16.3 22.5 14.5 stearic acid 6.5 4.0 4.0 Potassium stearate^(f) 8.08.0 8.0 8.0 3.0 8.0 oleic acid 2.5 Potassium laurate^(k) 17.9 Lauricacid^(j) 3.5 Perfume 5.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Neodol25-7E^(g) 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 BHT^(h) 0.05 0.05 0.05Free fatty acid^(I) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 5.0 water To 100 ^(a)purchased inTesco, UK April 2004; ^(b)Ex. Sigma-Aldrich (used as received); ^(c)Ex.Coconut Island Products; ^(d)Ex. Dow Chemical Company added as a powder;^(e)Formed in-situ from oleic acid and KOH; ^(f)Formed in-situ fromstearic acid and KOH; ^(g)C12-15 alcohol 7EO;^(h)2,6-Di-tertiary-4-methoxyphenol ex. Sigma Aldrich; ^(I)level alteredby changing the concentration of KOH added to prepare the potassiumsoaps; ^(j)Ex. Uniquema; ^(k)Formed in situ from lauric acid and KOH

Example G is Bold 2-in-1 powder (Ocean Fresh variant) purchased in theU.K. during April 2004.

Example H is Soupline Hearts, purchased in France during March 2004.

Examples 1, 2 and A to F were prepared by charging the triglyceride oilor glycerol, ethoxylated alcohol and fatty acids to a 1 liter beaker. A50% KOH solution was then added and the temperature kept below 60° C. byaltering the addition rate as necessary. The mixture was left to cool tobelow 40° C. under stirring and then the perfume was added. The productwas then left to cool to room temperature without stirring. A highviscosity opaque liquid resulted.

In Example 2, the potassium oleate was formed in-situ via the additionof a 50% m/m. aqueous solution to the sunflower oil, coconut oil andoleic acid mixture. Stearic acid was added after the oleic acidneutralization. The water content in this example includes the water ofneutralization.

25 g of each of examples 1, 2 and A to F was encapsulated in about 1 gof poly(vinylalcohol) film via typical thermoforming techniques, asdescribed above. 1 capsule was employed per washing assessment.

Example G was dosed at 107 g into the main-wash cycle dispensing drawerand Example H (1 tablet) was placed in a net bag and loaded into thedrum.

EVALUATION

A mixed ballast load comprising 25% Terry towel, 25% jersey, 25%poly-cotton, and 25% cotton sheeting together with eight 20 cm×20 cmTerry Towel monitors was added to a Miele 820 front loading automaticmachine. The machine was set to a 40° C. cotton cycle. Example G (107 g)was added to the drawer and used with no other products. Example H wasplaced into the net bag provided with the product and Examples 1, 2 andA to F were used as made. Examples 1, 2, A to F and H were added to thedrum and placed at the back on top of the ballast. After the wash, rinseand spin cycles were complete the monitors were extracted, and left todry on a line for 24 hours prior to softness and perfume assessment.

Perfume assessment was carried out by a sensory panel of six trainedpanellists who were asked to rank the cloths for perfume strength on ascale of 0 to 4 where 0 denotes no perfume, 1 means slight, 2 meansmoderate, 3 means strong, and 4 denotes very strong perfume.

Softening assessment was also conducted by a trained panel of at leastsix panellists who were asked to rank the monitors on a scale 0-100,where 0 denotes not at all soft and 100 denotes extremely soft. Eachpanellist placed a mark along a line which had ends marked 0 and 100respectively.

Perfume and softening results were analyzed using a statistics package,Tukey-Hamer HSD.

TABLE 2 Perfume evaluation Example Perfume 1 1.9 A 0.5 B 0.8 C 1.2 D 0.6G 1.0 H 1.5

TABLE 3 Softening evaluation Example Softening score 2 41 H 43

TABLE 3a Softening evaluation (separate test) Example Softening score 331.4 4 37.8 G 38.6Further Perfume Evaluation

A load comprising a 50:50 mixture of Terry towel and cotton sheeting ata weight of 2.5 Kg was placed in the drum of a Hotpoint washing machine.Ten 20×20 cm polyester monitors were added to the load. 1 tablet insidea net (example H) or 1 capsule (example 2) was placed on top of theload. Detergent (115 g of unperfumed Persil non-biological powder) wasplaced in the main wash cycle dispensing drawer.

A cotton cycle wash was performed.

The monitors were assessed by the expert panel immediately upon removalfrom the machine, after which they were line dried at 20° C. and 65% RH.Further assessments were made after 24 hours and 96 hours. Perfumeassessment was made using the scale described above.

The results are given in the following table.

TABLE 4 Example Time Perfume Strength H Damp  1.1 ± 0.80 24 hr. 1.09 ±0.69 96 hr. 0.78 ± 0.42 2 Damp 2.29 ± 0.72 24 hr. 2.17 ± 0.76 96 hr. 1.38 ± 0..59

1. A fabric treatment system in the form of a unit dose comprising: (a)a water soluble container which is formed from a water soluble polymerselected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylalcohol copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alkyl celluloses, ethers and esters of alkyl cellulosics,hydroxy alkyl, carboxy methyl cellulose sodium, dextrin, maltodextrin,water soluble polyacrylates, water soluble polyacrylamides and acrylicacid/maleic anhydride copolymers; and (b) a liquid fabric softenercomposition disposed in said water soluble container, wherein saidfabric softener composition comprises: (i) at least a first and a secondfatty acid ester, wherein the source of said first fatty acid ester isdifferent from the source of said second fatty acid ester, and whereinthe sources of said first and second fatty acid esters are selected fromthe group consisting of coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil andsunflower oil; (ii) a fatty acid soap; (iii) perfume; (iv) optionally afatty acid; and (v) optionally a cellulose ether cationic depositionpolymer, wherein, in at least the first fatty acid ester, the averageproportion of C18 chains is less than 60% by weight of the total weightof fatty acid chains in the fatty acid ester.
 2. A fabric treatmentsystem according to claim 1 in which in at least one of said first andsecond fatty acid esters the average proportion of C18 chains is lessthan 40%.
 3. A fabric treatment system according to claim 1 whereinfatty acid is present in an amount from 0.1 to 15% by weight based onthe total weight of the composition.
 4. A fabric treatment systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the source of said first fatty acid esteris coconut oil.
 5. A fabric treatment system according to claim 4,wherein said first fatty acid ester is present in the amount of about57% by weight of the composition.
 6. A fabric treatment system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the fatty acid soap comprises an alkali metalsoap or ammonium or substituted ammonium salt of a fatty acid containingfrom 8 to 24 carbon atoms and is present in an amount of from 1 to 50%by weight of the composition.
 7. A fabric treatment system according toclaim 1 wherein the cationic polymer is present in an amount of from 0.1to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.
 8. Afabric treatment system according to claim 1 wherein said fabricsoftener composition further comprises water, wherein the level of wateris present in an amount less than 10% by weight, based on the totalweight of the composition.
 9. A fabric treatment system according toclaim 1 wherein the perfume is present in an amount from 0.5 to 10% byweight, based on the total weight of the composition.
 10. A method oftreating a fabric which comprises introducing a fabric treatment systemof claim 1 into a home or automatic laundering machine so that it ispresent during the wash cycle.
 11. A fabric treatment system in the formof a unit dose comprising: (a) a water soluble container which is formedfrom a water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting ofpolyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially hydrolyzedpolyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, alkyl celluloses, ethers andesters of alkyl cellulosics, hydroxy alkyl, carboxy methyl cellulosesodium, dextrin, maltodextrin, water soluble polyacrylates, watersoluble polyacrylamides and acrylic acid/maleic anhydride copolymers;and (b) a liquid fabric softener composition disposed in said watersoluble container, wherein said fabric softener composition comprises:(i) at least a first and a second fatty acid ester, wherein said firstfatty acid ester is derived from palm kernel oil; (ii) a fatty acidsoap; (iii) perfume; (iv) optionally a fatty acid; and (v) optionally acellulose ether cationic deposition polymer, wherein, in at least thefirst fatty acid ester, the average proportion of C18 chains is lessthan 60% by weight of the total weight of fatty acid chains in the fattyacid ester.
 12. A fabric treatment system in the form of a unit dosecomprising: (a) a water soluble container which is formed from a watersoluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, alkyl celluloses, ethers and esters ofalkyl cellulosics, hydroxy alkyl, carboxy methyl cellulose sodium,dextrin, maltodextrin, water soluble polyacrylates, water solublepolyacrylamides and acrylic acid/maleic anhydride copolymers; and (b) aliquid fabric softener composition disposed in said water solublecontainer, wherein said fabric softener composition comprises: (i) atleast a first and a second fatty acid ester, wherein said first fattyacid ester is derived from coconut oil and said second fatty acid esteris derived from sunflower oil; (ii) a fatty acid soap; (iii) perfume;(iv) optionally a fatty acid; and (v) optionally a cellulose ethercationic deposition polymer, wherein, in at least the first fatty acidester, the average proportion of C18 chains is less than 60% by weightof the total weight of fatty acid chains in the fatty acid ester.
 13. Afabric treatment system in the form of a unit dose of claim 12 whereinthe formulation of the liquid fabric softener composition comprisesabout 45% by weight coconut oil esters and about 14% by weight sunfloweroil esters.